Method and device for preparation of a drink from capsules containing a substance

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for preparing a beverage by injection of water through a capsule containing a substance to be dissolved and/or to be extracted. The device comprises at least one water-injection system for introducing water inside the capsule. The injection system can be switched in order for a selection to be made between at least two different modes of wetting the substance so as to adapt wetting in accordance with the type of capsule and/or with the nature of the substance contained in the capsule. The invention aims to propose a device suitable for the preparation of a wider range of beverages, foaming or non-foaming, from substances to be extracted and/or soluble substances.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to methods and devices for preparingbeverages using capsules containing a food substance, such as asubstance to be extracted and/or to be dissolved. The invention relatesmore precisely to a method and a device for preparing, in an optimizedmanner, a variety of beverages from substances of different types.

The use of capsules containing a substance for preparing a beverage byextraction or by mixing under pressure is well known, particularly inthe field of espresso-type coffees or soluble coffees, and isadvantageous particularly for reasons of hygiene, storage freshness ofthe coffee and ease of use.

There are various machines for preparing beverages using “capsules”containing a substance to be extracted, such as ground coffee, tea or asubstance to be dissolved or dispersed, such as soluble coffee,chocolate, milk or a mixture or simple combination of these substances.

The capsules may be closed capsules serving as a chamber for theinjection of water and opening in order to release the liquid beyond acertain pressure threshold by means of the rupturing of a face of thecapsule in contact with elements that are in relief. Water is usuallyinjected by means of perforation through the capsule using a needle orspikes. An example of an extraction system of this type is described inPatent EP 0 512 470 B1 or, alternatively, EP 0 870 457. In the as yetunpublished European Patent Application No. 02000943.7, a description isgiven of a capsule having its own release-type means for rupturing acapsule film or membrane and thereby releasing the liquid extract when apressure threshold has been achieved inside the capsule.

The capsules may also be permeable chambers of the filter type or,alternatively, semi-permeable chambers comprising a filter component.

It is known to use substances to be mixed (soluble or dispersiblesubstances) and substances to be extracted under pressure using the samemachine so as to offer a wider variety of beverages. For example, on oneand the same machine, it is possible to prepare an “espresso” coffeewhen the capsule contains a ground coffee or a hot chocolate when thesubstance is a mixture of cocoa and powdered milk. However, it isobserved that it does not suffice to fill a capsule with a differenttype of substance if a quality beverage—in terms of aroma, taste and/orvolume of foam, for example—is to be obtained.

In particular, the injection, mixing or wetting conditions may have aconsiderable influence on the quality of the beverage produced.Depending on whether a substance, resulting from grinding, pressed downinto a capsule is involved, or, alternatively, a substance to bedissolved or dispersed in a liquid, such as a soluble coffee or amilk-based substance such as a cappuccino, chocolate or the like isinvolved, the way in which the water circulates through the capsule hasan influence on the extraction or mixing conditions and thus on thefinal quality of the beverage. Thus, a product such as coffee orchocolate has to be dissolved or dispersed rapidly and completely,producing, preferably, a foam; on the other hand, a soluble teapreferably has to be dissolved without producing foam. Dissolution ordispersion has to be total, homogeneous and rapid, without giving riseto lumps or froth. In the case of products to be extracted, such asground coffee, the optimum wetting conditions are different. The productmust be thoroughly wetted, thereby optimizing the water/coffee contactsurface, without creating preferred routes for the water through the bedof coffee. The creation of a privileged route through the bed of coffeemay result in too sudden an increase in pressure and thus too rapid arelease of the extract despite the fact that the extraction time isinsufficient and part of the coffee has not yet been correctly wetted.

The injection conditions may be improved, although this would only be inresponse to a particular problem or in connection with a particularsubstance. For example, Patent Application EP 1 299 022 A1 relates to acapsule cage comprising blades and a separate water entry fordistributing the water through the capsule and eliminating the problemsof obstruction and furring-up of the water-injection needles. Forexample, application EP 1 203 554 A1 relates to the shape of thepiercing spikes for promoting water-flow conditions inside the capsuleand preventing the rise of solid residues outside the capsule.

However, there are no known devices that aim to meet the different,often contradictory, resultant wetting requirements in the case ofextraction or the mixing, with water, of a substance contained in acapsule. Consequently, known devices are ill-suited to the preparation,in a manner that is adapted on each occasion, of a wide range ofbeverages from substances of different types.

SUMMARY

The present invention aims to solve this problem and to propose a devicethat makes it possible satisfactorily to effect adapted preparation of awider range of beverages from a wide variety of substances.

To that end, the invention relates principally to a device for preparinga beverage by injecting a quantity of water through a capsule containinga substance to be dissolved and/or to be extracted, comprising at leastone water-injection system for introducing a quantity of water insidethe capsule, characterized in that the injection system can be switchedin order for a selection to be made between at least two different modesof wetting the substance so as to adapt wetting in accordance with thetype of capsule and/or with the nature of the substance contained in thecapsule.

The term “capsule” is understood in the broad sense as any type ofrefill element containing a substance without limitation of form or ofcomponent materials for the element. In particular, the capsule may beof impermeable, permeable or partially permeable type.

The injection system can be actuated to modify the injectionconfiguration in accordance with at least two possible modes, the twomodes having between them one or more distinctive features that includethe injection direction, the number of injection spikes, and the radialand/or depth position of injection into the capsule.

The device is thus capable of producing the injection conditions thatcorrespond to the conditions that are sought as a function of the typeof capsule and/or of the nature of the substance contained in saidcapsule. It is thus possible to use the same device to produce differentbeverages, matching up with the specific characteristics of eachsubstance contained in the capsule and with the inherent qualitycriteria for each beverage.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a device of the invention;

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the device according to the firstembodiment upon opening;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the device according to the firstembodiment upon closure around the capsule in a first wettingconfiguration;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the device according to the firstembodiment upon closure around the capsule in a second wettingconfiguration;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the injection system of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 4B is a sectional view on A-A of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the injection system upon its opening,functioning using water pressure;

FIGS. 6 to 12 show a second embodiment of the device according to theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the top of the device according to thesecond embodiment upon opening;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the top of the device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the device according to the secondembodiment upon closure around the capsule in a first wettingconfiguration;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the device according to the secondembodiment upon closure around the capsule in a second wettingconfiguration;

FIG. 10 is a further sectional view on B-B of FIG. 9 of the top of thedevice only;

FIG. 11 is a further sectional view at a right angle relative to that ofFIG. 8 of the top of the device only;

FIG. 12 is a detail view of one of the two perforation and injectionelements of the embodiment of FIGS. 6-11;

FIG. 13 is a simplified bottom view showing the injection configurationof the other perforation and injection element of the embodiment ofFIGS. 6-12;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view in section of a further embodiment of adevice for preparing a beverage by injection of a liquid through acapsule according to the invention, the preparation device beingrepresented in the closed position and according to a first mode of use;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the preparation device shown in FIG.14, the preparation device being shown in the closed position andaccording to a second mode of use;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are diagrammatic views in perspective and in sectionalperspective, respectively, of the perforation and injection element thatcan be used in connection with the embodiment of the preparation deviceof FIGS. 14-15;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are diagrammatic views in perspective and in sectionalperspective, respectively, of a variant embodiment of the perforationand injection element that can be used in connection with the embodimentof the preparation device of FIGS. 14-15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a preferred embodiment, the injection system comprises at least oneperforation and injection element that can be displaced in the capsuleinto at least two distinct positions, positions that can be defined withreference to the perforated surface of the capsule. The specificdisplacement of the perforation element is thus a function of thedesired wetting mode.

The perforation and injection element may thus be displaced by means ofa manually controlled or automatic actuating means of mechanical,hydraulic, electrical or, alternatively, combination type.

In certain embodiments, the perforation element can be displaced inaccordance with two different depths in the capsule.

In a first embodiment, the perforation and injection element can bedisplaced into a first, high position in the capsule for wetting thesubstance contained in the capsule via the top and a second, deeper orlower position in the capsule for wetting the substance contained in thecapsule from the base of the substance. The mode of wetting via the topis well suited to substances to be extracted, as it complies with therequirement that all the solution should pass through the bed, forming awater piston through the bed, which conditions extraction and then thecorrect instant for the capsule to open.

The mode of wetting via the base, on the other hand, promotesdissolution of substances to be dissolved, such as instant coffee ormilk-based beverages, and thus eliminates regions of accumulation ofsolids, which have a tendency to be created in the bottom of thecapsule, such as along the internal ridges or edges.

In a second embodiment, the perforation element can be displaced into afirst, high position in the capsule in which at least one injectionspike is uncovered in the capsule and a second, lower position in thecapsule in which a greater number of injection spikes are uncovered inthe capsule. As the number of injection points is increased in thesecond embodiment, injection becomes more diffuse or more dispersed andthe speed of the injection fluid through the capsule is reduced, whichbetter suits substances to be extracted as compared with substances tobe mixed.

In a further embodiment, the injection system comprises at least a firstperforation and injection element and at least a second perforation andinjection element, distinct from the first perforation and injectionelement, which elements can be displaced relative to one another, eachaffording a different mode of wetting the substance in the capsule.Thus, each perforation and wetting element specializes in one wettingmode, which is adapted to one or more substances and/or for forming,from one and the same substance, beverages with differentcharacteristics.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second elements can bedisplaced in phase opposition (or in movement opposition) relative toone another into at least a first position in which the first element isin engagement in the capsule and the second element is retracted fromthe capsule and, conversely, a second position in which the firstelement is retracted from the capsule and the second element is inengagement in the capsule. An arrangement of this type makes it possiblerapidly to switch from one wetting mode to another. The advantages are,in particular, speed and simplicity of selection of the appropriatewetting mode.

The opposing movement of the elements may be commanded by a rocker-typeor toggle-type command means, for example, or any mechanically orelectrically equivalent means, such as a means of the type having asolenoid, for example. The advantage of this is that it allows rapid,reliable selection of the wetting mode that is most suitable as afunction of the substance and/or of the capsule present in the device.

An injection element according to the invention may preferably compriseat least one injection point inside the capsule in the form of a jetconfigured so as to create, in the capsule, a swirling movement thatmixes the liquid with the substance.

Preferably, the element may be off-centre relative to the axis of thecapsule, in the form of a point, for example, having an injectionorifice of which the injection direction is slanted relative to thediametrical axis of the capsule. The axis of the injection orifice fromthe point of injection forms an angle of between 20° and 60° andpreferably between 35° and 45° with a line connecting the point ofinjection to the centre of the capsule.

A wetting mode of this type has the effect of creating at least onehydraulic force moment that entrains the substance in a rotationalmovement so as to form a vortex effect inside the capsule, around itscentral axis. Preferably, the injection direction is towards the bottomof the capsule in order to generate a movement of internal turbulence,not only with a vortex effect, but also in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the direction of the vortex, such as from bottom totop.

A single injection spike may be sufficient for substances to bedissolved or dispersed, such as chocolate- and/or milk-based substances.

A number of injection spikes may be arranged off-centre so as better todistribute the liquid in the capsule. A configuration of this type maybe advantageous for certain substances, in particular to create a mixingof liquid that is sufficiently distributed in a bed of a substance to beextracted, such as ground coffee or the like.

In a preferred embodiment, one of the two injection elements is amulti-spike plate for perforating, upon its engagement in the capsule,the surface of the capsule at multiple locations. An arrangement of thistype is advantageous in the case of ground substances, such as coffee,where it is advantageous to multiply the water-entry regions, todistribute the water over a large part of the capsule cross section,even over its entire cross section, inside the capsule, so as thus toslow the speed at which the water passes through the bed of substance,to thereby prevent preferred routes through the substance and thus toguarantee complete, progressive wetting of all the substance.

In a further preferred embodiment, one of the two elements is aninjection spike located substantially in the centre of the capsule andconfigured so as to produce multidirectional, divergent sprinkling inthe form of at least one thin layer of water.

There may be a single layer extending continuously over the periphery ofthe spike and sprinkling of a substance contained in the capsulecircularly, or several discontinuous layers of water extending in asubstantially distributed manner over the periphery of the spike. Thethin layer or layers of water has or have a thickness that is less thanor equal to 0.5 mm, preferably less than 0.3 mm. In a preferred butnon-limiting embodiment, the spike is configured so as to open anaccount of water pressure against an elastic element, so as to free apassage having a thickness that is determined as a function of thepressure and thereby to create the layer of water. A configuration ofthis type has the advantage of being self-cleaning and of guaranteeing auniform layer of water, without a problem of obstruction or the like. Inanother embodiment, the spike comprises fixed openings, in the form ofslots, for producing several layers of water, which, in combination withone another, distribute the water and guarantee coverage overapproximately 360°.

In another embodiment, the injection spike that produces a divergentsprinkling in the form of one or more thin layers of water may be theonly injection means of the device and may be capable of displacement interms of depth inside the capsule in accordance with at least twodifferent wetting depths. A displacement in accordance with a number ofdepths makes it possible to process both ground substances arranged as abed to be extracted, which preferably have to be wetted by means of afull, slow passage of water through the bed, and substances to bedissolved, in which case it may be advantageous to inject the water at agreater depth so as progressively to break up the mass to be dissolvedand dislodge it, without forming lumps.

Preferably, an actuating means is provided for displacing saidperforation and injection element or elements selectively into the twopositions by recognizing the size and/or geometry of the capsule. Theactuating means may assume very varied forms without thereby departingfrom the general principle of the invention. For example, the actuatingmeans may comprise at least one support integral with said perforationand injection element, which support can be displaced elasticallyrelative to a head base, the actuating means comprising at least onedetection means for moving the actuating means by complementaryengagement of an edge of the capsule. The actuating means may be movablerelative to a reference element of the device, such as a head base,which is placed on the injection surface side of the capsule andinteracts, in terms of closure, with a capsule support for receiving thecapsule and holding it in position.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the injection systemcomprises a first injection and perforation element in the form of anoff-centre injection spike integral with the actuating means and asecond injection and perforation element in the form of a multi-spikeplate connected to the actuating means by a rocker-type command meansand is mounted so that it can be displaced relative to the head base,said multi-spike plate thus being commanded into a position forperforation of the surface of the capsule when the detection means ofthe actuating means encounters and engages a complementary edge of thecapsule and is commanded into a position of retraction relative to thesurface of the capsule, consequently allowing the entry of the injectionspike into the capsule when the detection means does not encounter thecomplementary edge of the capsule.

In a further particular embodiment, the injection system comprises afirst perforation and injection element in the form of an off-centreinjection spike integral with the actuating means and a second injectionand perforation element in the form of a central injection spike mountedas a guide through the actuating means and the head base, saidoff-centre injection spike being in a position in which it is retractedfrom the surface of the capsule when the detection means of theactuating means encounters and engages a complementary edge of thecapsule and is in a perforation position in the capsule when thedetection means does not encounter the complementary edge of thecapsule.

According to another characteristic, the injection system of the deviceof the invention comprises means for keeping the water at a certaininjection temperature depending on the nature of the substance and/or ofthe injection type. Means of this type may comprise a water heater suchas a thermal unit, a heating resistive cartridge or, alternatively, akettle, and means for monitoring the temperature of the water in theinjection system such as a thermostat, for example. The means formaintaining water temperature are switchable in order to heat the waterin accordance with a first range of temperatures and in accordance witha second range of temperatures that is different from the first range oftemperatures, and vice versa, this being as a function of the nature ofthe substance and/or of the type of capsule. Thus, when the capsulecontains a product that might produce froth, such as milk, the injectionsystem is switchable in order to establish the temperature of the waterupon injection within a temperature range that does not affect frothingof the substance. For example, in the case of powdered milk, thetemperature is thus lowered to a temperature range below 80° C.,preferably between 50 and 75° C. Switching may be effected by theactuating means linked to the capsule, as described previously.

Similarly, the water-injection system has means for regulating the waterflow rate as a function of the nature of the substance and/or of thetype of capsule. In a preferred manner, the means comprise a pump, theforce of which can be regulated and regulation of which may be effectedby the actuating means in connection with the capsule, as describedpreviously.

The invention also relates to a method for preparing a beverage byinjection of water through a capsule containing a substance to bedissolved and/or to be extracted, in which the liquid is injectedthrough the capsule in accordance with at least two different injectionmodes, it being possible for each to be selected as a function of thetype of capsule and/or the nature of the substance contained in saidcapsule.

In a further embodiment, the liquid is injected in accordance with atleast two modes in which the injection point or points is or arespatially distinct and/or differs or differ in terms of number.

For example, the liquid is injected in accordance with two injectionmodes that define two distinct injection depths in the capsule.

In a further embodiment, the liquid is injected in accordance with atleast two modes in which the injection point or points is or arespatially distinct and/or differs or differ in terms of number.

For example, the liquid is injected in accordance with two injectionmodes that define two distinct injection flow depths in the capsule.

According to a further variant, the liquid is injected in accordancewith at least two injection modes in which the speed of introduction ofthe liquid into the capsule is different. More particularly, the speedof introduction of the liquid into the capsule may be slowed bymultiplying the points of injection of the liquid into the capsule fromone and the same pressurized-liquid source. In the case of substances tobe extracted, it is advantageous to have a slower introduction speedthan in the case of soluble or dispersible substances to be mixed. Thus,in the case of a substance to be extracted, a multitude of injectionpoints is preferable, allowing the introduction of liquid at a speedthat is relatively lower in order to prevent the formation of preferredroutes through the bed of substance.

For example, the liquid is injected in accordance with a first mode soas to create, in said capsule, a swirling movement of the injectedliquid, giving rise to mixing with said substance.

Similarly, the liquid is injected in accordance with a second mode so asto form a sprinkling from several entrance points into the capsule at aninjection speed that is slower than in the first mode.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a first preferred embodiment of apreparation device 1 is illustrated in section and comprises a system 2for injecting a pressurized fluid, preferably cold or hot pressurizedwater, which system is switchable in accordance with at least twodifferent injection-depth positions inside a capsule 3. The devicecomprises a first, lower subassembly in the form of a capsule support or“capsule holder” 40 that has a form and a size that is adapted toreceive, partially, at least the capsule 3. The capsule may be a closed,open or partially open capsule.

According to a preferred embodiment, the capsule comprises a closedchamber containing the substance to be extracted and/or to be dissolved,and a retention portion, such as a membrane 35, that opens, through theeffect of the rise in pressure inside the chamber, in contact withengagement means such as relief-type elements 37. The engagement meansmay either form part of the capsule itself or form part of the capsuleholder 40. The capsule may also preferably comprise means 31 forcollecting the liquid extracted or the mixture, and a conduit means orflow orifice 32, both of which belong to it. This has the advantage, incombination with the integral opening means, of delivering a productwithout direct contact with the device, in particular with the capsulesupport 40. This guarantees an absence of cross-contamination ofbeverages, better hygiene, less cleaning and greater simplicity in theactual design of the preparation device. More precisely, the capsule maycomprise a dish 33, made from plastic or the like, for forming orhousing the functional elements, namely the relief-type elements, thesealed opening membrane 30 and the conduit means 32. The dish 33 may beclosed, in order to form the chamber 34, by means of a second entrymembrane 30 sealed over the sealing edges 36 of the capsule. Theconfiguration of the capsule may, of course, have many other designsand/or forms without thereby departing from the context of theinvention. For example, the capsule could comprise a body formed largelyfrom a flexible material (sachet) that is inserted in the device in anequivalent manner.

A preferred capsule is described in greater detail in patent applicationEuro-PCT No 03/00384, filed on 13 Jan. 2003, the entire content of thelatter being added to the present application here by means of thepresent reference.

The device comprises a second subassembly or injection system 2 thatinteracts upon closure with the capsule holder 40 in order to define aninjection chamber enclosing the capsule. In this first embodiment, thesecond subassembly or injection system 2 is formed from a centralperforation and injection element 5, the constructional details of whichwill be given below, and an actuating means 6 that is integral with theelement 5 in such a manner as to displace the actual injection pointinside the capsule in accordance with a number of wetting modes. To thatend, the perforation and injection element passes through a head base 7,which is displaced upon closure relative to the capsule support 40. Itis understood that the head base may be movable relative to a fixedsupport 40, or vice versa, or, alternatively, both may be movable uponclosure. Mounted on the head base 7 is the actuating means in the formof a movable support in the form of a bell-shaped part that is called“movable bell-shaped part 6” in the remainder of the description.

The movable bell-shaped part 6 is associated in terms of elastic guidingin translation relative to the head base 7 by means of a number of guidetubes 70, 71 of the head base and of springs 72, 73 inserted between theupper end wall 79 of the head base and the movable bell-shaped part 6,such that, in the open position of the device, the head base 7 isapplied substantially in the bottom of the movable bell-shaped partthrough the effect of the compression of the springs. To that end, theupper end wall 79 is connected securely to the tubes of the head base byany appropriate connection means, such as screws 790.

The head base 7 also comprises peripheral sealing means 74, such as anelastomer seal, arranged in order to bear, upon closure, against theperipheral edges 41 of the capsule holder 40. The head base thuscomprises a part that is applied close to the entry surface of thecapsule at the time of closure. This allows the introduction of thecentral perforation and injection element 5 through the capsule, moreprecisely through the entry membrane 30 of the capsule. A supplementarysealing element 75 may also surround the perforation and injectionelement in order to prevent a rise of fluid through the injection systemand out of the device.

The embodiment of the invention shown is based on the principle that theactuating means of the injection element or movable bell-shaped part 6being integral with the element 5 makes it possible, depending on itsrelative position in relation to the capsule support, to modify theposition of the perforation and injection element in the capsule andthus to change the wetting configuration of the substance contained inthe closed chamber of the capsule. More precisely, the movablebell-shaped part 6 has means for detection depending on the actual typeof capsule that are formed by the engagement edges 60 that are capableof engaging complementary edges 360 of the capsule and thus,consequently, that are capable of pushing back the bell-shaped part 6relative to the head base 7 in direction A as a function of the width ofthe edges of the capsule (as shown in FIG. 2). The introduction positionof the perforation element can thus adopt two distinct positionsdepending on whether the capsule has wide edges or edge extensions 360bthat engage against the edges 60 of the bell-shaped part 6 or,alternatively, a narrow configuration of edges 360 a, which the edges ofthe bell-shaped part do not then encounter.

Thus, FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which the capsule has extensionsor wide edges 360 to make it possible to push back the bell-shaped part6 and thus to halt the perforation and injection element in anintroduction position PI close to the entry of the capsule. Such aposition makes it possible to inject the fluid substantially at thelevel of the entrance of the bed of substance, which is well suited toground products to be extracted, for example.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration in which the capsule has narrower edges 360a that allow the bell-shaped part 6 to pass along the capsule supportupon closure of the device without pushing it back. In this case, theperforation and injection element is able to reach a position P2 that isdeeper inside the capsule. Such a position proves advantageous forwetting the substance via its base, thereby giving rise to a progressivebreaking-up of the mass of substance. In the case of soluble substances,for example, a wetting mode of this type proves particularly effective.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5 show in detail a preferred configuration of theperforation and injection element 5. The perforation and injectionelement 5 has an end piece 56 that can be connected to thepressurized-fluid supply of the preparation device. The end piececomprises a hollow through-bore 560 for conveying the fluid and isconnected directly at its lower end to an elongate hollow injectionportion 57. The hollow portion 57 ends in an open tube 570 that isclosed off, in a controlled manner, by a central needle 58 through theaction of a draw spring 59 housed in the hollow portion and attached toa fixed point 571 of the hollow portion. The central needle 58 hasinternal wings that enable the central needle to be slid in the tubeportion in a centered manner and without jamming, while leaving passagesfor the fluid. The needle has a closure surface 582 on which thepressurized fluid acts in order to push the needle back and to releasean opening or passage 560 of circular shape and controlled thickness(FIG. 5). The thickness is controlled by the force chosen for the spring59. Thus, it is preferable for the opening to have a thickness that isat most equal to 2 mm, preferably less than 1 mm, even more preferablyless than or equal to 0.5 mm. The small thickness of the opening has theeffect of producing a sprinkling layer covering a significant surfacearea of the substance but also having sufficient velocity in order toform a jet effect through the substance.

The embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 13 is a variant of a device of theinvention in which the injection system 2B in particular differssubstantially from that previously described, whereas the other means ofthe device may remain identical or similar. This embodiment differs fromthe preceding one principally in that it comprises two distinctperforation and injection elements that can be displaced relative to oneanother in order to achieve at least two different wetting modes for thesubstance in the capsule.

The detail of the injection system is described here in connection withFIG. 7. A first perforation and injection element can be seen in FIG. 7in the form of a multi-spike plate 50 that can move in movementopposition relative to a second perforation and injection element in theform of an off-centre spike 51 mounted securely on the actuating means,known as “movable bell-shaped part 6B”.

The multi-spike plate 50 has a multitude of piercing elements forperforating the entry surface 30 of the capsule and allowing the entryof the fluid through the multiple holes thus created (FIG. 9). The plateis mounted on a head base 7B that comprises, inter alia, a pressuredistribution grid 700 and an inner cap 710 that can be connected to thegrid by snap-fitting or any equivalent means. The pressure distributiongrid is used in particular to keep the surface of the capsule out ofcontact with the spikes if the other wetting mode is selected and thecapsule is placed under liquid pressure.

A peripheral seal 720 in the form of a ring is provided in order tosurround the cap 710 and thus define an inner chamber 730 for fillingwith pressurized fluid and thus allowing the isobaric distribution ofthe fluid through the multi-spike plate and the grid. The head base alsocomprises a fixed bell-shaped part 735 connected over the elements 700,710, 720, forming the link by elastic guiding with the movablebell-shaped part 6. In order to do this, the fixed bell-shaped part 735comprises guide tubes 731 via which the movable bell-shaped part 6B isable to slide by gliding. The guide tubes are connected to the upper endwall 79 of the head base by screws or any other equivalent connectionmeans. Springs 736 are arranged between the movable bell-shaped part 6and the end wall 79, along the tubes 732, so as to generate an elasticforce necessary for elastically countering the displacement of themovable bell-shaped part 6 relative to the fixed bell-shaped part 735.

The movable bell-shaped part 6B supports the injection spike 51, whichis arranged off-centre relative to the central axis I of the injectionsystem, coinciding with the axis of the capsule. The spike may beconnected by means of a sleeve 510 screwed into a housing of thebell-shaped part 6B and extending through the head base via a hollowneedle 512 comprising a beveled part ending in an injection opening 513.The injection opening 513 is directed in such a manner that it producesa swirling fluid movement or “vortex” inside the capsule when thisinjection mode is actuated. This mixes the liquid with the substancecontained in the capsule. To that end, the injection direction isinclined relative to the diametrical axis of the capsule and, moreover,is preferably inclined downwards, as shown in FIG. 13.

The injection elements 50, 51 are arranged relative to one another so asto be actuated alternately inside the capsule. More precisely, themulti-spike plate is articulated to the head base 7B on the one hand andto the movable bell-shaped part 6B on the other by means of arocker-type command system. To that end, the multi-spike plate isextended via a rod 55 through the head base 7 and is connected to thefirst ends of two levers 80, 81 by a central, common articulation 734.The levers 80, 81 are themselves connected at their centre onarticulations 738, 739 of the head base and their second ends areconnected to articulations 600, 601 of the movable bell-shaped part 6B.The articulations may be formed by simple rotational pins or pinscombining rotation and translation, such as articulations of oblongtype, so as to facilitate the movements and to prevent jamming.

The way in which the injection system operates may now be explained indetail in connection with FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11.

When a capsule 3A with narrow edges 360 a is introduced into the capsulesupport and the device is closed, as shown in FIG. 8, the engagementedges 60 do not then detect a complementary capsule edge. This meansthat the movable bell-shaped part is not pushed back upwards and thuscovers the support partially. In this configuration, the off-centreinjection spike 51 is thus entrained integrally with the movablebell-shaped part and adopts an injection position P3 inside the capsule.The head base then continues to bear internally inside the movablebell-shaped part through the effect of the springs 736, which maintainthe elastic cohesion of these two elements. The multi-spike plate 55 isthen held in a retracted position relative to the surface of thedistribution grid 700 and thus also relative to the surface of thecapsule (FIG. 8). The off-centre injection spike is therefore the onlyelement in engagement in the capsule. This position thus corresponds tothat shown in FIG. 13, in which, upon introduction of the pressurizedfluid inside the capsule through the only injection spike, a swirlingeffect or vortex is created by the particular direction of the fluid inthe capsule.

When a capsule 3B with edge extension is introduced into the device andthe device is closed, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the engagement edges60 of the movable bell-shaped part then enter into contact with theedges 360b of the capsule. This contact has the effect of pushing themovable bell-shaped part back in direction A, which movement thenactuates the rocker-type means 8 (levers 80, 81) in order to force themulti-spike plate in the opposite direction B. The multi-spike platethen adopts the injection position P4 in the capsule. The off-centreinjection spike 51, itself integral with the movable bell-shaped part,then remains in a retracted position relative to the surface of thecapsule.

Water is injected via the injection spike that supplies fluid to thechamber and then through the multi-spike plate, from a supply 518 suchas a water inlet hose connected upstream to a pump.

An embodiment of this type has the advantage of using a singlewater-supply source for two separate elements that can be switched inmovement opposition.

FIG. 12 shows a detail view of a preferred embodiment of the multi-spikeplate 50. The plate may comprise a metal plate portion 52 in which amultitude of individual strips 53 that are sufficiently fine, but rigid,to provide effective, reproducible piercing through the surface of thecapsule over a large number of cycles, are cut and folded. Theright-angled folding of each strip makes it possible to define anaperture 54 for the passage of the water from the chamber through theplate portion 52. Additional openings may be added if necessary.

In FIG. 13, the preparation device is shown in a wetting mode in whichthe liquid is injected into the capsule so as to create a swirlingmovement of the liquid around the centre of the capsule accompanied, inparticular, by multiple instances of the jet bouncing off the innerwalls of the capsule. It may be seen that the perforation and injectionelement 512, more precisely the injection orifice 513, is arranged at adistance from the centre of the capsule (embodied by point C on theinner surface 700 of the system) and is thus off-centre relative to thevertical axis of the capsule. The direction of the injection jet J thuscreated is therefore oriented on the one hand on an axis passing out ofthe way of the centre C and on the other hand on a second axis orientedtowards the bottom of the capsule. This configuration of the position ofthe injection orifice 513 in the capsule and the particular orientationof the injection direction J produces a swirling movement around thecentre of the capsule accompanied by multiple instances of the jetbouncing off the inner walls of the capsule. The general movement thusproduced makes it possible to obtain efficient mixing of the liquid withthe substance contained in the capsule and to achieve completedissolution or wetting of the substance.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a further embodiment of a device for preparing abeverage by injection of a liquid through a capsule according to theinvention. The preparation device is shown in the closed position inthese two figures, but according to a first wetting mode in FIG. 14 andaccording to a second wetting mode in FIG. 15. “Wetting mode” isunderstood within the context of the present invention to be the type ofwetting of the substance contained in the capsule 2 that it is desiredto obtain, the type of wetting depending essentially on the nature ofsaid substance.

In FIG. 14, the preparation device is shown in a first wetting mode inwhich the liquid is injected into the capsule so as to create a swirlingmovement of the liquid around the centre C of the capsule accompanied,in particular, with multiple instances of the jet bouncing off the innerwalls of the capsule, as described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and2. This mode of wetting is particularly well suited to capsulescontaining soluble substances, as it allows complete, rapid dissolutionof this type of substance.

In FIG. 15, the preparation device is shown in a second mode of wettingin which the liquid is injected into the capsule so as to create, inaddition to a swirling movement of the liquid around the centre C of thecapsule, wetting in the upper part of the capsule with the aid of adivergent jet of liquid in the form of a thin layer of liquid forwetting the top of the substance contained in the capsule. This mode ofwetting is particularly well suited for capsules containing substancesto be extracted, as it allows complete, rapid dissolution of this typeof substance.

According to this second embodiment of the invention, the preparationdevice comprises a perforation and injection element 500 comprising afirst injection orifice 513 arranged and oriented in an identical mannerto the injection orifice 513 of the perforation and injection elementdescribed in connection with FIGS. 8-11, and a second injection means515, the injection axis of which extends substantially horizontally inorder to produce the divergent jet in the form of a thin layer ofliquid. With reference, also, to FIGS. 16 and 17, it will be seen that,in the example illustrated, the perforation and injection element 500has the form of a hollow needle that includes a channel 513a openingoutwards at a first end via first 513 and second 515 injection means.The channel 513a also communicates with the supply channel 20 in itsmedian part, via an opening 21. The perforation and injection element isextended at the end opposite the injection means 513 and 515 by anactuating finger 22 interacting with a lever 23 commanded by switchingmeans (not shown) integral with the head 2C. The perforation andinjection element 500 comprises, in its median part, a portion of largerdiameter in which the opening 21 is made and via which it is mountedmovably in translation in a shouldered passage 24 extending parallel tothe vertical axis of the injection head made in the core 25, a returnspring 26 being interposed between the bottom of the passage and ashoulder of the perforation and injection element 500. Two 0-ring seals270, 271 are placed on either side of the opening 21 on the perforationand injection element 500 in order to interact with the inner surface ofthe passage 24.

In this embodiment, the perforation element 500 is movable between twodistinct positions, namely a first position (FIG. 14) in which only thefirst orifice 513 opens out inside the capsule 3, this corresponding tothe first mode of wetting, and a second position (FIG. 15) in which thefirst orifice 513 and also the second injection means 515 open outinside the capsule 3, this corresponding to the second mode of wetting.The changeover from the first mode of wetting to the second mode ofwetting is achieved via switching means acting on the perforation andinjection element 500 against the return spring 26 via the lever 23. Itis well understood that the diameter of the supply channel 20 and of theopening 21 and also the path of the perforation and injection elementfor the changeover from the first to the second mode of wetting 515 arearranged such that the opening 21 always communicates at least partiallywith the supply channel 20 irrespective of the mode of wetting selected.

Preferably, and as emerges from FIGS. 16 and 17, the second injectionmeans 515 that makes it possible to produce a divergent jet in the formof a thin layer of liquid comprises a plurality of orifices 515 adistributed over a portion of the periphery of the perforation andinjection element 500. As the perforation and injection element 500 isarranged off-centre inside the capsule and, more precisely, in thevicinity of the lateral wall of the capsule, the orifices 515 a aredirected towards the centre of the capsule. For reasons linked to themanufacture of the element 500, the orifices 515 a are advantageouslyoffset in terms of height relative to one another. These orifices 515 athus produce a plurality of divergent jets that overlap in order to forma thin layer of liquid that sprinkles and wets the substance containedin the upper part of the capsule.

Of course, it is also possible to envisage forming the thin layer ofliquid using a single orifice 515b having the form of a slot extendingtransversely to the longitudinal direction of the element 500, as shownin FIGS. 18 and 19. In such a case, the divergent jet extends over acircular sector that is sufficiently wide to wet substantially all thesubstance located in the upper part of the capsule.

It will be noted that the orifices 515 a and the orifice 515 b are,respectively, arranged such that the thin layer of liquid is producedsubstantially continuously over an angular sector of between 90° and180° and preferably of the order of 160°. Furthermore, these orifices515 a and 515 b are arranged in order to produce a layer of liquidhaving a thickness of less than or equal to 0.5 mm and preferably lessthan 0.3 mm. To that end, for each of the orifices 515 a, a diameter ofthe order of 0.5 mm will preferably be chosen and for the orifice 515 ba diameter of the order of 0.7 mm will be chosen.

According to an advantageous variant of this second embodiment, the axisof the second injection means 515, i.e. the axis of the orifices 515 aand 515 b, respectively, defining the direction of the jet of liquid,forms an angle γ of between 0° and 25° with the horizontal andpreferably an angle of the order of 15°. The liquid injected by theseorifices is thus directed upwards and bounces off, in a first stage, thelower surface of the cap and is returned, in a second stage, towards thebed of substance, being thereby more dispersed. By doing this, thehomogeneity of wetting of the substance is improved.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

1. A device for preparing a beverage by injecting water through acapsule containing a substance comprising at least one water-injectionsystem for introducing water inside the capsule, the water-injectionsystem can be switched allowing for a selection to be made between atleast two different modes of wetting the substance so as to adaptwetting in accordance with the type of capsule and/or the nature of thesubstance contained in the capsule.
 2. Device according to claim 1,wherein the water-injection system can be actuated to modify theinjection configuration in accordance with at least two possible modes,the two modes having between them at least one distinctive featureselected from the group consisting of an injection direction, a numberof injection spikes, and a radial and/or depth position of injectioninto the capsule.
 3. Device according to claim 1 wherein thewater-injection system comprises at least one perforation and injectionelement that can be displaced in the capsule into at least two distinctpositions with reference to a perforated surface of the capsule. 4.Device according to claim 3, wherein the perforation element can bedisplaced in accordance with two different depths in the capsule. 5.Device according to claim 4, wherein the perforation element can bedisplaced into a first, upper position in the capsule for wetting thesubstance contained in the capsule via the top and a second, lowposition in the capsule for wetting the substance contained in thecapsule via the bottom.
 6. Device according to claim 4, wherein theperforation element can be displaced into a first, upper position in thecapsule in which at least one injection spike is uncovered in thecapsule and a second, lower position in the capsule in which a greaternumber of injection spikes are uncovered in the capsule.
 7. Deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the water-injection system comprises atleast a first perforation and injection element and at least a secondperforation and injection element, distinct from the first perforationand injection element, which elements can be displaced relative to oneanother, each affording a different mode of wetting the substance in thecapsule.
 8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the first and secondelements can be displaced in phase opposition relative to one anotherinto at least a first position in which the first element is inengagement in the capsule and the second element is retracted from thecapsule and, conversely, a second position in which the first element isretracted from the capsule and the second element is in engagement inthe capsule.
 9. Device according to claim 7, wherein the secondinjection element is a multi-spike plate for perforating, upon itsengagement in the capsule, the surface of the capsule at multiplelocations.
 10. Device according to claim 7, characterized in thatwherein the second element is an injection spike located substantiallyin a center of the capsule and configured so as to producemultidirectional, divergent sprinkling in the form of at least one thinlayer of water.
 11. Device according to claim 7, wherein the firstelement comprises at least one injection point inside the capsule in theform of a jet configured so as to create, in the capsule, a swirlingmovement that mixes the liquid with the substance.
 12. Device accordingto claim 3, wherein an actuating means is provided for displacing atleast said perforation and injection element selectively into the twopositions by recognizing at least one of a size on a geometry of thecapsule.
 13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the actuating meanscomprises at least one support integral with said perforation andinjection element, which support can be displaced elastically relativeto a head base, the actuating means comprising at least one detectionmeans for moving the actuating means relative to the head base bycomplementary engagement of an edge of the capsule.
 14. Device accordingto claim 13, wherein the injection system comprises a single, centralinjection spike integral with the actuating means so as to be positionedin a low position in the capsule when the detection means does notencounter a complementary edge of the capsule and an upper position inthe capsule when the detection means encounters and engages acomplementary edge of the capsule.
 15. Device according to claim 14,wherein the central injection spike is configured so as to producemultidirectional, divergent sprinkling in the form of at least one thinlayer of water.
 16. Device according to claim 15, wherein the thin layerextends continuously over the periphery of the spike and sprinkles thesubstance in the capsule substantially circularly.
 17. Device accordingto claim 15, wherein a number of discontinuous layers of water extendsubstantially distributed over the periphery of the spike.
 18. Deviceaccording to claim 15, wherein the thin layer of water has a thicknessof less than or equal to 0.5 mm.
 19. Device according to claim 14,wherein the spike is configured so as to open due to water pressureagainst an elastic element, so as to free a passage having a thicknessthat is determined as a function of the pressure and thereby to createsaid layer of water.
 20. Device according to claim 13, wherein thewater-injection system comprises a first injection and perforationelement in the form of off-center injection spike integral with theactuating means and a second injection and perforation element in theform of a multi-spike plate connected to the actuating means by arocker-type command means and is mounted so that it can be displacedrelative to the head base, said multi-spike plate thus being moved intoa position for perforation of the surface of the capsule when thedetection means of the actuating means encounters and engages acomplementary edge of the capsule and is moved into a position ofretraction relative to the surface of the capsule, consequently allowingthe entry of the injection spike into the capsule when the detectionmeans does not encounter the complementary edge of the capsule. 21.Device according to claim 20, wherein the head base forms a hollowassembly for guiding the multi-spike plate and has sealing rims thatclose over a collector for receiving the capsule, the injection spikebeing in communication with said assembly in order to distribute thewater in the hollow assembly through or substantially at the level ofthe multi-spike plate.
 22. Device according to claim 1 wherein at leastone of the injection temperature or, the injection flow rate in thecapsule are switchable.
 23. Method for preparing a beverage by injectionof water through a capsule containing a substance, the liquid beinginjected through the capsule in accordance with at least two differentinjection modes, wherein each injection mode can be selected as afunction of a characteristic selected from the group consisting of thetype of capsule and the nature of the substance contained in saidcapsule.
 24. Method according to claim 23, wherein the liquid isinjected in accordance with at least two modes in which the injectionpoint is spatially distinct and/or differs in terms of number. 25.Method according to claim 24, wherein the liquid is injected inaccordance with two injection modes that define two distinct injectiondepths in the capsule.
 26. Method according to claim 25, wherein theliquid is injected in accordance with at least two injection modes inwhich the speed of introduction of the liquid into the capsule isdifferent.
 27. Method according to claim 25, wherein the liquid isinjected in accordance with a first mode so as to create, in saidcapsule, a swirling movement of the injected liquid, giving rise tomixing with said substance.
 28. Method according to claim 27, whereinthe liquid is injected in accordance with a second mode so as to form asprinkling from several entrance points into the capsule at an injectionspeed that is slower than in the first mode.
 29. Method according toclaim 23, wherein the appropriate injection mode is selectedautomatically by recognition of at least one characteristic selectedfrom the group consisting of a size and the particular form of thecapsule.
 30. Method according to claim 29, wherein the selection of theinjection mode is made in accordance with two positions depending onwhether or not the capsules have an engagement edge.